SchoolTalk
FPS e-Newsletter for September 5, 2024
- SPOTLIGHT -
Feature Column - Suicide Awareness and Prevention
Suicide is a critical public health issue that touches the lives of individuals and communities across the country, and our district is dedicated to creating a supportive environment where every student feels safe, valued, and heard. Fargo Public Schools is committed to taking proactive steps to prevent suicide and support the mental health of its students. Suicide is preventable, and the our collective efforts can make a difference.
Read more about the importance of suicide prevention awareness in this Feature Column by FPS Assistant Director of Educational Justice Dr. Jen Sahr.
Feature Column - The What of EBR
The goal of Fargo Public Schools is to accurately report student proficiency, regardless of how low or slow the student started. This necessitates us to accurately interpret the evidence at hand. We achieve this through our reliable system of evidence-based reporting (EBR), a grading method that diligently monitors and reports learning progress. The ultimate goal of evidence-based reporting is not just to accurately communicate student progress toward mastery of enduring skills, but also to instill a sense of confidence in learners.
Read more about Evidence-Based Reporting in this Feature Column by FPS Director of Standards-Based Instruction Dr. Liann M. Hanson and watch the video below.
- YOUR FPS -
Beyond the Books Giving Day - September 18
When a child's needs are met, they can find success in the classroom and beyond. The Fargo Public Schools Development Foundation and the United Way of Cass-Clay are teaming up for the Beyond the Books Giving Day on September 18 to help meet the needs of students in Fargo Public Schools.
Make a change by donating on the Beyond the Books Giving Day at one of these organizations:
A donation to the United Way of Cass-Clay of:
- $20 provides one child with a backpack of school supplies.
- $50 provides a family 2 nights of stable housing.
- $100 provides one student with food every weekend for a year.
A donation to the FPS Development Foundation of:
- $20 will provide 8 elementary school lunches, or 7 middle and high school lunches.
- $32 will pay for milk for one student per semester.
- $33 will provide 20 pounds of food and basic needs supplies for elementary, middle, and high school food pantries.
- $50 provides snacks for a year for one student.
FPS Development Foundation
United Way of Cass Clay
AD-Ventures
AD-Ventures is a district publication intended to help families find activities for their children throughout our community. It is published on the first of each month during the school year (September through May).
AD-Ventures for Kids is for youth in grade levels K-5.
AD-Ventures for Teens is for youth in grade levels 6-8.
Parent Input Session Opportunity
Fargo Public Schools wants to hear from you! We are conducting a research project to learn what our community thinks about a number of important issues for our school district, including our Long-Range Facilities Plan. FPS has hired an independent research firm, Creative Entourage Research, to gather input, and a representative from that firm will lead input sessions with various community stakeholders. From the input sessions, questions will be developed for a phone and electronic survey of our larger community. Survey results will be presented to the Fargo Board of Education in January to assist them in decision-making for a potential bond referendum to fund the Long-Range Facilities Plan.
A total of 20 current parents of FPS students are needed to participate in an input session on Thursday, October 3 at 6 p.m. at the District Office PD Room, located at 700 7th Street South in Fargo. If more parents volunteer than the session can accommodate, a randomized selection process will occur. Participants must live within the Fargo Public Schools attendance boundary.
To volunteer for this input session, please complete this form. The form will close on Wednesday, September 18 at 7 p.m. All volunteers will be contacted after the form’s closure.
Listening to our community is a high priority for the future of our schools; please volunteer to participate in this important effort! Contact Director of Facilities James Hand at handj@fargo.k12.nd.us with any questions.
Opt-In to Receive Text Messages
Please opt-in to receive text messages from Fargo Public Schools. FPS has switched to a new mass communication system for the 2024-25 school year and you MUST opt-in to receive text messages from FPS. If you do not opt-in, you could miss important information from our school or the District. You can opt-in at any time by texting the word “YES” to 79041.
Free and Reduced Price Meals Application
Students attending school are provided breakfast and lunch through the USDA National School Lunch Program. Students may qualify for federal and state assistance to cover the cost of meals. Households may qualify based on income and size, participation in a federal assistance program (SNAP, etc.) or other criteria. This school year, North Dakota legislature passed a bill that allows families to receive free meals if they fall below 200% of the federal poverty line. Families must submit a Student Fees Assistance and Benefits Application (also known as a Free-and Reduced-Price Meal Application) every year.
If families qualify, households can receive free meals and additional benefits such as:
- Waived (canceled) fees for school related activities such as band rentals, activity fees, exam fees, and others.
- Increase funding to the district for educational programs through Title 1 funding, foundation aid, e-rate for technology grants, and others.
Households wishing to apply for Free or Reduced-Price Meals may apply by submitting a Student Fees Assistance and Benefits Application. It is only necessary to submit one application per household.
For more information about Free or Reduced-Priced Meals or the Student Fees Assistance and Benefits Application, visit the FPS Nutritional Services Department website. If you need assistance with the application, call FPS Nutrition Services at 701.446.1153.
Follow FPS on Social Media
Do we show up in your news feed? Follow Fargo Public Schools on Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) to keep up on all of the exciting things happening across the District and make sure you don't miss out on important announcements!
- Instagram: fargopublicschools
- Facebook: Fargo Public Schools
- X (Twitter): @FargoNDSchools
- FEATURE -
The First Day of School
Students arrived in Fargo Public Schools building for the first day of school last Wednesday, August 28. They prepared for their new classes, saw friends they missed over the summer, and got right back into their school routines. FPS looks forward to a great 2024-25 school year. Take a look inside the first day of school in the video below!
- COMMUNITY -
We've Got You Covered
Dakota High School and The Agassiz Building hosted the YouthWorks We've Got You Covered clothing giveaway for students and their families on August 22. The back to school clothing giveaway provided free clothing to 767 children and 489 adults.
Shoe Donation
Thank you to the Mark Knutson for Kids Legacy Fund for the donation of 1,000 pairs of shoes for elementary students at Fargo Public Schools! The donation was delivered to the FPS Operations Center on August 16, and with the help of FPS Development Foundation volunteers, delivery drivers, and warehouse staff, the shoes were delivered to the elementary school buildings before school started.
My Life is Worth Living
North Dakota families have the special opportunity to take part in a series of free, virtual events designed to support and inspire our community, and are especially geared toward teens and young adults. Developed by the creative team behind Rugrats, The Simpsons, and The Wild Thornberrys – My Life is Worth Living tells powerful stories of seven characters overcoming mental health struggles and suicidal thoughts.
Presented by the Cook Center for Human Connection, these family-friendly events will be hosted monthly from September 2024 to May 2025. The first event is September 25 at 6 p.m., covering the topic of “What Parents Need to Know About Suicide Prevention.” View more information and register.
- BOARD FOCUS -
Board Column - Welcome to the 2024-25 School Year
The new school year is in full swing, and the Fargo Board of Education is eager to dive into its critical tasks with new and veteran board members alike. Board President Katie Christensen Mineer urges FPS staff, parents, students, and community members to stay engaged, share their ideas, and continue to support our schools.
Read more about the new school year and the work the Board of Education has ahead of itself in this Board Column by Christensen Mineer.
- IN FOCUS -
CBH Staff Photos
The staffs at Clara Barton Elementary School and Hawthorne Elementary School celebrated the first day of school on Wednesday with group pictures. They decorated the front of the buildings with signs to welcome the students. (Photos courtesy Rebecca Folden)
Oh Hey Pre-K
The first day of school for Early Childhood Special Education was a day after the rest of the District opened for the first day. To greet their students, the staff wore matching t-shirts that said "Oh Hey Pre-K!" (Photos courtesy Donna Johnson)
First Week Cupcakes
The staff at Lincoln Elementary School got a special surprise for the first week of school. Nothing Bundt Cakes dropped by with cupcakes for the staff to enjoy. (Photo courtesy Megan Kiser)
First Day Crowns
Miss Wierschke's kindergarten class got a royal welcome to Horace Mann Elementary School on the first day. They decorated paper crowns that said "My First Day of Kindergarten" and wore them together as a group. (Photo courtesy Brianna Wierschke)
Eagles Adventure
The staff at Eagles Elementary School is ready to embark on a brand new adventure this school year. Their theme for this school year is "The Adventure Starts Here." (Photo courtesy Dr. Jennifer Jung)
Explorer Academy Development Days
The staff at Explorer Academy made the most of its time before welcoming students back to classrooms. They did CPI training, Ukeru training, classroom collaborations, and explored downtown Fargo on a mural scavenger hunt. They found the murals, took creative photos, and met at the final clue for a pizza party. (Photo courtesy Christine Travers)
- IN THE NEWS -
Fargo Public Schools - SchoolTalk
Email: comments@fargo.k12.nd.us
Website: www.fargo.k12.nd.us
Location: 700 7th Street South, Fargo, ND
Phone: 701.446.1000